MX23RW : Tuesday, March 19 05:36:37| >> :600:458460:458460:
[monks data]
Hull logo
Premier League
Oct 4, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
Crystal Palace logo

2-0

Diame (60'), Jelavic (89')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Live Commentary: Hull City 2-0 Crystal Palace - as it happened

Relive Sports Mole's live text commentary of the Premier League match between Hull City and Crystal Palace at the KC Stadium.
2

Hull City ended a run of five Premier League games without a win by beating Crystal Palace 2-0 at the KC Stadium.

Mohamed Diame gave the Tigers the lead on the hour-mark when he headed in from Andrew Robertson's cross.

Nikica Jelavic sealed the win late on as he raced onto Jake Livermore's through ball to slot past Julian Speroni.

Find out how the action unfolded below.


Sort:
Newest
Oldest
Good afternoon everyone! It's shaping up to be another busy weekend of action in the Premier League and at the KC this afternoon two teams who have been in contrasting form go head to head for vital points.

For fans of Hull, it has been a frustrating start to the season. They have not won since their opening day victory at Queens Park Rangers and have crashed out of the Europa League before the group stages. Despite some encouraging displays, their inability to hold onto the lead has cost them dearly.

The visitors this afternoon are a Crystal Palace side who have won their last two games in the league. In fact, since Neil Warnock's arrival the club have gone four games unbeaten in the league and sit ninth in the table, level on points with Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur

HULL XI: Harper, Robertson, Davies, Dawson, Chester, Elmohamady, Huddlestone, Diame, Livermore, Hernandez, Jelavic

CRYSTAL PALACE XI: Speroni, Kelly, Dann, Delaney, Ward, Jedinak, Ledley, McArthur, Bolasie, Puncheon, Campbell

HULL SUBS: Jakupovic, Rosenior, Bruce, Brady, Ramirez, Quinn, Ben Arfa

CRYSTAL PALACE SUBS: Hennessey, Mariappa, Guedioura, Zaha, Gayle, Doyle, Chamakh

Hull have made two changes from the side that were beaten by Manchester City last weekend. Goalkeeper Steve Harper comes in for Alan McGregor, who is out with a shoulder problem, while James Chester replaces Liam Rosenior in the defence.

Abel Hernandez and Nikica Jelavic continue to lead the attack, with Jake Livermore, Tom Huddlestone, Ahmed Elmohamady and Mohamed Diame making up the midfield. There is still no place in the starting XI for Hatem Ben Arfa, who has to make do with a place on the bench.

Meanwhile, Palace manager Neil Warnock has named the same starting lineup for the third successive Premier League match. It means that Fraizer Campbell and Mile Jedinak will have the chance to add to their recent goals against Everton and Leicester City.

There is a very settled look to the visitors team, with the likes of Jason Puncheon, Yannick Bolasie and Joe Ledley in the midfield. Scott Dann and Damien Delaney continue their partnership in the centre of the defence and will be hoping to keep a third clean sheet in four games.

I have mentioned that Hull have had a tough start to the season, but it is fair to say that luck hasn't quite been on their side in recent weeks. Last Saturday they did well to battle back from two goals down against Manchester City, before falling to an eventual 4-2 defeat.



Their problems do not seem to be in the final third of the pitch, but rather at the back, having conceded 11 goals in their last four matches. Throwing away leads has also been a feature, with the Tigers in winning positions in their three matches before they played City.

The first sign of defensive frailties was in their 2-2 draw with West Ham United, in which the Hammers twice came from behind and almost won the game with a shot that hit the bar in stoppage-time. They seemed even closer to grabbing a win at Newcastle United, where they led 2-0 going into the closing stages, but two goals from substitute Papiss Cisse ensured the match finished level.

While the results haven't quite been there, there have been plenty of signs of encouragement for manager Steve Bruce. His record signing Abel Hernandez has started his Hull career in good form, bagging two goals in his first three matches. Fellow deadline day arrival Mohamed Diame has also been impressive and looks a great addition to the side.

Another of their summer signings Andrew Robertson has shown plenty of promise and seems to have had no problem adjusting to the pace of the Premier League. With quite a few new players added to the squad this summer it will take a while for them all to gel, but Bruce certainly has a lot of quality at his disposal.

Moving on to the visitors and they will be in confident mood ahead of today's clash. They will be looking for a third-consecutive win in the Premier League after visitors against Everton and Crystal Palace. The only game that Neil Warnock has lost since his return to the club is a 3-2 defeat in the League Cup to Newcastle, but he made plenty of changes to his side that night.



Fans of the club have also seen plenty of goals since Warnock's arrival, with 10 goals scored in his first five games. None of those matches were more dramatic than their 3-3 draw with Newcastle in his first game back. Dwight Gayle scored inside of 30 seconds and Wilfried Zaha scored five minutes into stoppage time in what was a thrilling encounter at St James' Park.

It is clear that Premier League safety is the most important thing for Palace this season, which is of course the case for fans of Hull as well. The club finished an impressive 11th under Tony Pulis last season and you suspect that they will need to tighten up their defence if they are to match that feat.

This is only the third time that these two sides have met in the top flight. So far it is Crystal Palace who have the bragging rights, after winning both encounters last season. They came out on top with a 1-0 victory in this fixture last time around thanks to Barry Bannan's goal, before Jason Puncheon's strike gave them a home win by the same scoreline.

PREDICTION: Despite their winless run, Hull have played some good football in recent weeks and have looked dangerous going forward. Palace will be in confident mood after their two wins and should cause plenty of problems for the home defence. This should be a tight match and I can see it finishing in a draw, with 1-1 my prediction of the outcome.


We are fast approaching kick off in Hull and the players have just made their way out onto the pitch. Don't forget that you can keep up to date with all of today's Premier League action right here with live commentary from each match.

KICKOFF! We are underway at the KC Stadium!

CHANCE! With just over a minute of the match played the home side should really be in the lead. Elmohamady is found in space down the right and his inch-perfect cross finds Jelavic at the back post, but the Croatian can only direct his header wide of the target.

It's been an even start to the match, but Palace will now have a good chance of their own as Campbell is brought just outside the box by Chester, with Jedinak standing over the free kick.

Jedinak does indeed take the set piece, but he can only place his curling effort over the bar. It was a decent effort, but there was never enough dip on the ball to trouble Harper.

Hull are seeing plenty of the ball at the moment and are finding a lot of space out wide. Elmohamady in particular has been found on the right on a couple of occasions now and his latest cross finds Huddlestone on the edge of the box, who fires in a strike that deflects wide of the post.

It looks as if Palace could have a problem here, as Dann is injured and in need of treatment. He actually blocked that effort from Huddlestone and it appears as though he could have a problem with his ankle.

SUBSTITUTION: Dann is unable to continue and has been stretchered off the pitch, with Mariappa coming on in his place.

Hull have an immediate chance to put pressure on Palace's reshuffled defence, but they are unable to make successive corners count, with the visitors clearing each delivery with relative ease.

We've just had some news about Dann, who is believed to have suffered from concussion. It first appeared as though he had an ankle injury blocking Huddlestone's shot, but it seems that his problem came from the way he hit the ground.

It is fair to say that neither side has found their range from set pieces this afternoon. It's the visitors turn as they win their first corner of the match, but Bolasie's delivery is well over hit and misses everyone in the box before heading out of play.

We haven't seen too many attempts on goal so far, but Robertson comes close for Hull as he is slipped in down the left. He tries to flash a strike into the far corner past Speroni, but the angle was always against him and the ball heads wide of the post.

Hull have been dominating the possession in the first half so far, but Palace have gradually started to see more of the ball in the past few minutes. We are still waiting to see a shot on target and Puncheon continues the trend of poor efforts, with a scuffed strike that finishes well wide of the post.

Palace are unlucky to win a free kick right on the edge of the box, as Huddlestone brings down Campbell. The referee waves away the appeals from the visitors, but there was certainly contact.

It's still rather congested in the centre of the midfield, with both teams unable to maintain possession of the ball for long spells. A lot of passes are going astray and there has hardly been any service for each team's forward players.

At this moment in time, Palace look the side more likely to make the breakthrough. They are starting to see the ball in more advanced areas, but they are still finding it hard to break through Hull's defence and test the keeper.

YELLOW CARD! The hosts pick up the first booking of the afternoon, as Livermore goes in with a crunching late challenge on Ward, leaving Mike Dean with no choice but to hand out a card.

CHANCE! Hull put together a good spell of pressure inside the Palace half and after a couple of crosses are cleared away, the ball drops to Diame. He then exchanges passes with Hernandez, before firing in a low strike across goal that heads just wide of the far post.

It looks like Hull could have an injury concern, with Elmohamady receiving treatment on the side of the pitch on his arm. He picked up the injury following a coming together with Ward and Bruce will hope that he is able to continue.

Elmohamady has had his arm bandaged up by the Hull medical staff and he is now back on the pitch.

YELLOW CARD! Campbell picks up a needless booking for Palace after clipping the heels of Davies.

There are going to be four minutes of added time at the end of the half.

CHANCE! Jelavic had a good chance to score early on and he has another decent opening when he rises to meet a corner from Huddlestone, but he can only direct his header wide of the far post.

CHANCE! Hull have another decent opportunity to score in stoppage time, as Hernandez is picked out in the middle by Robertson, but he ends up placing his first-time effort wide of the target.

HALF-TIME: Hull City 0-0 Crystal Palace

Mike Dean brings the first half to an end and it is currently goalless at the KC. It hasn't been the most exciting of games so far and neither side has been able to find the target. Hull have had the best chances, but have lacked a cutting edge in front of goal.

After 45 minutes of play it is Hull who have seen more of the ball, with 62% of the possession. They have also had more attempts on goal, with eight efforts compared to Palace's three. However, as I have mentioned, neither goalkeeper has been tested so far.

There are four other matches currently taking place this afternoon in the Premier League. A goal on the stroke of half time from Adam Lallana has given Liverpool a 1-0 lead over West Bromwich Albion. Sunderland are 2-1 up against Stoke City, while Leicester City lead Burnley by the same scoreline. In Wales, Newcastle United have come from behind to take a 1-1 draw into the break against Swansea City.

I'm sure that if the scores are still level after an hour of the match, then both manages will be thinking about some attacking changes. Hatem Ben Arfa is available for Hull and he is one man that can create a chance out of nothing. Palace have plenty of firepower on their bench, with the likes of Kevin Doyle, Dwight Gayle, Wilfried Zaha and Marouane Chamakh.

We are back underway at the KC!

A quick update on Dann and it appears that he has suffered medial knee ligament damage. The physios initially said that he had concussion, but he has come out in crutches to watch the second half.

It appears that the hosts are preparing to make a change, with Brady going through his final warm up before coming on. Something is definitely needed to spark this game into life.

Palace are still yet to find the target, but they are enjoying a good spell at the moment. They are putting the Hull defence under a great deal of pressure, with Bolasie seeing a header deflect just over the top, before two well-delivered corners pose Hull plenty of problems.

YELLOW CARD! Mariappa picks up a booking for bringing down Robertson just outside the box. It has given Hull a great chance from the free kick, with Jelavic standing over the ball.

Jelavic does indeed take the set piece, but he smashes his strike into the wall, before seeing his attempt from the rebound also blocked by the Palace defence.

Elmohamady has put in some fantastic deliveries this afternoon and his latest cross is whipped in with pace to the front post, where Delaney gets a flick on the ball and almost ends up diverting it into the far corner.

More good play from Elmohamady sees the Egyptian burst free down the right and pick out Davies in space on the edge of the box. However, the defender is probably the last player on the pitch that Hull want to be in that kind of position, as he curls an effort high and wide of the target.

GOAL! Hull City 1-0 Crystal Palace (Mohamed Diame)

It's taken an hour to see the first shot on target, but Hull have made it count with the opening goal. It's Diame who scores, as he meets Robertson's wonderful cross with a thumping header that leaves Speroni with absolutely no chance.

SUBSTITUTION: Palace respond to falling behind by bringing on Chamakh in place of Campbell.

That goal has certainly opened the game up and Palace are pouring men forward now in search of a response. They manage to win a corner on the right after good work from Chamakh and Puncheon, but Hull are able to deal with the set piece.

Hull are just trying to take the sting out of the game at the moment are slowing the tempo down to a walking pace. They look comfortable in possession at the moment, but given their recent tendency to throw away the lead, they could do with adding a second goal.

SUBSTITUTION: Palace have brought on another striker, with Gayle replacing McArthur.

CHANCE! It's all Palace at the moment and they finally register their first attempt on goal as Bolasie fires in a stinging drive from outside the box that is tipped over the bar by Harper.

SUBSTITUTION: Hull make their first change of the afternoon with Ramirez coming on for Hernandez.

Palace are seeing plenty of the ball and are putting the Hull defence under pressure, but they still haven't managed to get in behind. Harper has had just the one save to make so far and that effort came from range.

SUBSTITUTION: It's another change for the hosts, as Rosenior comes on to replace Robertson.

Puncheon has been one of Palace's most reliable players in front of goal over the past year, but he has not had a great time of it this afternoon. His latest attempt sums up his day, as he picks the ball up on the edge of the box, before firing a strike over the bar.

Hull seem as if they are content to hold onto their one goal lead and every time they are getting the ball in the final third, they are immediately heading to the corner. It's a dangerous tactic, but as things stand they are set to win their first league game in six outings.

GOAL! Hull City 2-0 Crystal Palace (Nikica Jelavic)

It's surely all over now as Jelavic doubles Hull's lead. The Croatian is played clean through by Livermore and keeps his cool to slot a fine low finish into the corner past Speroni. That is no more than the hosts deserve for their second half display.

There are going to be four minutes of stoppage time.

OFF THE LINE! The visitors come close to pulling a goal back as Delaney meets Bolasie's corner, but sees his attempt cleared off the line by Rosenior.

FULL-TIME: Hull City 2-0 Crystal Palace

The final whistle blows at the KC Stadium and Hull have ended their five-game winless run in the Premier League. They may have only found the target twice, but goals from Mohamed Diame and Nikica Jelavic have brought them three massive points.

Palace manager Neil Warnock has now lost his first league match since returning to the club and he will be disappointed that his team did not offer more in attack. They never really looked like scoring today and have now slipped below Hull in the table.

That's all we've got time for here. Make sure you stick with us for live commentary of Aston Villa's clash against Manchester City, which is set to kick off in just under 30 minutes. Until next time, goodbye!

ID:180590: cacheID:180590:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:36058:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Julian Speroni of Crystal Palace makes as Leonardo Ulloa of Leicester City heads the ball towards goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Leicester City at Selhurst Park on September 27, 2014
Read Next:
Quickfire double gives Palace win
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds38257670284282
2Leicester CityLeicester37264774334182
3Ipswich TownIpswich38249580493181
4Southampton36227773472673
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom381991059362366
6Norwich CityNorwich381871369541561
7Hull City371610115346758
8Coventry CityCoventry3715121059431657
9Preston North EndPreston37168134954-556
10Middlesbrough38166165352154
11Cardiff CityCardiff38165174351-853
12Sunderland38146184845348
13Watford381212145351248
14Bristol City38138174245-347
15Swansea CitySwansea381210164858-1046
16Millwall381110173650-1443
17Blackburn RoversBlackburn38119185164-1342
18Plymouth ArgylePlymouth381011175462-841
19Stoke CityStoke38118193553-1841
20Queens Park RangersQPR381010183650-1440
21Birmingham CityBirmingham38109194259-1739
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield38815154261-1939
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds38115223061-3138
24Rotherham UnitedRotherham38311243077-4720

Subscribe to our newsletter


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!